In the middle of long and tedious contract negotiations, there usually tends to be a trade rumor or two. In the case of Boston holdout Nick Boynton, trade speculation is well underway.

Published reports suggest the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in bringing in the 24-year-old defenseman to town in exchange for forward Darcy Tucker. But Bruins GM Mike O’Connell made it very clear that Boynton either rejoins the B’s or doesn’t play.

In the middle of long and tedious contract negotiations, there usually tends to be a trade rumor or two. In the case of Boston holdout Nick Boynton, trade speculation is well underway.

Published reports suggest the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in bringing in the 24-year-old defenseman to town in exchange for forward Darcy Tucker. But Bruins GM Mike O’Connell made it very clear that Boynton either rejoins the B’s or doesn’t play.

But B's GM Mike O'Connell made it very clear that Boynton's case will not end the same way. There has been speculation in Toronto the Maple Leafs would love to get hometown kid Boynton, perhaps in exchange for pesky center Darcy Tucker. But O'Connell said Boynton either rejoins the B's or doesn't play.

That was the quote in question, and the 'published reports' talked about.

so once again, what do Leafs fans have to do with any of this? Or are you just trying to stir the **** a little? Maybe you can't read...

The perception i got form this article was that toronto wanted the deal and boston never. which is kind of givin away by...

"toronto would love the hometown boy"

and

“We’re not going to trade him,” O’Connell told the Boston Herald.

so don't say i can't read. but it looks to me like this is a deal that toronto wanted, not boston.

Well maybe he should have you don't read very well or that you take things out of context pretty good. This is what was really said..

There has been speculation in Toronto the Maple Leafs would love to get hometown kid Boynton, perhaps in exchange for pesky center Darcy Tucker. But O'Connell said Boynton either rejoins the B's or doesn't play.

Now maybe its because I don't look for reasons to cut up the Leafs but that certainly doesn't sound like something definitive. But you are right, Toronto would love to have him on the team, probably though, also many other teams as well.